PreSonus FP10 10x10 FireWire Recording Interface

No longer available at zZounds
8 XMAX Class A mic pres. Zero latency monitoring. 24-bit 96khz. Base unit includes Cubase LE.

Compact computer recording!
Nothing compares to a computer-based recording studio in terms of features, versatility, and affordability. Tools, effects, and quality previously only available to million-dollar studios are now accessible right from your desktop. But how do you get the music out of your instruments and into your computer? The PreSonus FP10 lets you record the whole band simultaneously into a compact 1U rack design.

I/O connections for everyone
While most compact interfaces only give you one or two audio channels, the FP10 lets you lay down eight input tracks while monitoring playback on any of the ten outputs. There's no need to record in steps, with each band-member trying to match the energy and intensity of the previous take. When a band records together, everything is tight and locked-in to the same groove. You capture the raw, gritty feel of live performance with studio-quality precision. Energy + quality = better tracks.

Low-latency FireWire performance
This bus-powered FireWire interface has enough connections to record the whole band with ultra-low latency, so there's no delay or echo while monitoring in realtime. A second FireWire connection lets you daisy-chain up to three FP10s together for a total of 24 inputs. Sample rates up to 24-bit/96 kHz are available for the most pristine tracks you've ever recorded.

Input options
Eight front-panel combo jacks accept a variety of input sources. Inputs 1 and 2 switch between microphone and high-impedance instrument read more sources, while jacks 3 through 8 handle mic- and line-level signals. Selectable phantom power and independent gain controls let you dial in the perfect level, from the hottest pickup output to the most whisper-quiet condenser microphone. Phantom power for condenser mics is available on all eight inputs. Balanced 1/4 in. jacks on the first two channels let you insert dynamic effects such as compressors, limiters, and EQ so your input is at its best before mixing even begins. If the incoming signal is right-on, editing and mixing will be a breeze.

MIDI and S/PDIF support
Back-panel MIDI and S/PDIF connections are also available. You can record keyboards, DJ gear, drum machines, and more to add flash and flavor to your songs. Plug in a MIDI control surface for improved touch and feel during mixdown and editing. It can be difficult to maintain the creative flow when you are trying to tweak settings on a mouse and keyboard. With the FP10 and a controller, all the familiar pan, fader, and effects controls sit right at your fingertips. Mixing and editing sessions will go much smoother, and you'll find that you can spend your attention on the sound instead of the mechanics.

Flexible output routing
The FP10's output routing is extremely helpful in the controlled chaos that exists in most project studios. You never know when you're going to need a custom mix for the band or the control room. The software-based mixer/router lets you assign separate mixes to any of the output connections on the FP10. For realtime monitoring of recorded tracks or late-night mixing sessions, the front-panel headphone jack with independent level control lets you focus on individual sounds with no distractions. DJ's can also use the dedicated cue-mix outs to preview sounds before sending them to the mains.

Multitrack monitoring
For multitrack recording sessions, you can send the entire mix to the control room, then create individual headphone mixes for each band member. Boost the drums in the bassist's headphones so the groove is deep in the pocket. The guitars will want the whole rhythm section, plus some vocals to unite both elements. On the second pass, bump up the lead vocals in the singer's mix for tight doubling or harmony parts. When everyone hears just what they need, your final mixes will really come to life.

Rackmounted design
In small studios, space is precious. The FP10's compact design is rackmountable for organized performance in a single rack space. You'll be able to move around the room without fear of tripping over cables and damaging your gear. Anything that pulls your attention away from the music is sure to slow you down, but a tidy rack keeps your project on-track!

Optional MegaStudio bundle
You can get the FP10 by itself, or with a full complement of accessories to beef-up your recordings and prepare them for distribution. The MegaStudio Producer bundle includes more than four hours of video instruction on how to squeeze every drop of performance out of your new hardware and software. It walks you step-by-step through the production process, showing you all the powerful features in action. You get Cubase 4 LE, a 48-track audio recording application, plus Sony Vegas Movie Studio for synching your audio to video. The bundle also comes with tons of virtual instrument and effects plug-ins, plus over 2 GB-worth of drum loops and samples. With all this support, you'll have everything you need to complete any project with professional results.

MegaStudio distribution tools
Once you've finished recording, editing, mixing, and mastering your tracks, the MegaStudio Producer bundle helps get your music out to the masses. You get 5 free uploads to iTunes with the TuneCore distribution system, plus a free membership to BroadJam.com, a popular independent music site. Combined with a whole mess of helpful tips for sharing and selling songs on the web, you'll be ready to make money with your music, right out of the box.
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FP10 Specifications
Preamp bandwidth: 10Hz to 50kHz

Preamp input impedance: 1.3k Ohms

Instrument input impedance: 1M Ohms

Preamp THD: <0.005%

Preamp EIN: -125dB

Preamp gain: 54dB

Preamp send output impedance: 51 Ohms

Preamp return input impedance: 10K Ohms

Line trim: +/-20dB

Line input impedance: 10k Ohms

TRS output impedance: 51Ohms

TRS main outputs impedance: 51 Ohms

TRS cue outputs impedance: 51 Ohms

Headphone output: 150mW/Ch 20Hz-20kHz

Phantom power: 48V +/- 2V

Power supply: Ext line transformer, internal switching

Analog to digital converters (ADC): 24-Bit / (44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz)

ADC dynamic range: 107db

DAC: 24-bit / up to 96kHz

DAC: Dynamic Range 110db

IEEE1394 Speed: 400mbps

Simultaneous record/playback channels and sample rate:
Single Unit (10 in, 10out @ 24/96K)
Two FP10's (up to 16 in, 16 out @ 24-bit/ 44.1k or 48K)
Three FP10's (up to 24 in, 24 out @ 24-bit/44.1k or 48k)

Note: FP10's and FirePod's can be daisy-chained

Computer System Requirements

Windows
OS: Microsoft Windows XP / Vista

Computer: Windows compatible computer with FireWire port.

CPU/Clock: Pentium, Athlon with 900Mhz or higher (1.5GHz)

Memory(RAM): 256 MB (512MB recommended)

Macintosh
OS: MacOS X ver. 10.3.5

Computer: Apple Macintosh series with on-board Firewire port.

CPU/Clock: PowerPC G4/800Mhz or higher (G4/Dual 1 GHz recommended), all Intel/Mac models

Memory(RAM): 512 MB or more

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 225-216-7887
Web: https://support.presonus.com

Presonus FP10 FireWire Interface

The PreSonus FP10 (formerly FirePod) is a complete 24-bit/96k recording system combining eight high-quality PreSonus XMAX microphone preamplifiers, 24-bit/96k sample rate conversion and as an added bonus, the PreSonus Pro Pak Software Suite featuring Steinberg's Cubase LE 48-track recording software, over 25 real-time plug-in effects and over 2 GB of drum loops and samples for music production.

Hardware
The FP10 FireWire recording interface is equipped with eight PreSonus microphone preamplifiers, 24-bit/96K analog to digital conversion along with SPDIF and MIDI inputs and outputs for professional quality convenient and compact no-hassle recording.

The FP10's Class A preamps are custom-designed by PreSonus to deliver high headroom with low noise sonic performance - perfect for recording a wide variety of sources including vocals, drums, guitars, bass, piano, keyboards, guitars, synths, horns, orchestras, choirs, and more. Eight potentiometers are on the front panel to easily control the input level of each preamplifier.

Inputs one and two of the FP10 can be switched between microphone or instrument level while inputs three thru eight can be switched between microphone or line input. Phantom power (+48V) is available on every channel in groups of four. Channels 1 and 2 feature fully balanced send and return TRS connectors on the rear of the rugged metal chassis for inserting outboard dynamics, EQ and effects processors. The FP10 has eight balanced TRS line outputs as well two balanced TRS main outputs as well as CUE outputs for additional monitoring.

The FP10 also includes stereo headphone output on the front panel, as well as mix control to balance monitoring levels between mixed input and main output signals for zero-latency monitoring. Two channels of SPDIF input and output as well as MIDI input and output are also included.

Two Firewire ports are loaded on the FP10 making it possible to daisy-chain multiple FP10's together creating the possibility for adding additional inputs and outputs (with mic preamps) to your system.

Superior Analog Circuitry - XMAX Class A Preamplifiers
The FireStudio starts with eight custom-designed high-voltage, discrete, XMAX Class A microphone preamplifiers. Many other companies offering recording interfaces add the cheapest possible microphone preamplifier as an afterthought to the interface. PreSonus knows that the preamplifier is a key component in the sonic quality of a recording. The job of a microphone preamplifier is to boost microphone level signals to line level so that the signal can be converted from analog to digital. This mic to line boost is generally a preamplification of over 400 times the voltage of the original mic level signal. This preamplification stage is one of the most important stages that the signal will go through before converted to digital, and is why a high performance preamplifier is important to achieving great results. A cheap "off the shelf op-amp" type mic preamp that is found in most interfaces translates into thin, noisy and harsh results.

All XMAX preamplifiers are built with the same three elements:

High Voltage
The XMAX preamplifier runs on power rails of 30V. Most off the shelf op amp based designs run on power rails of 10V to 18V. Higher voltage power rails deliver more headroom, deeper lows, smoother highs and an overall fuller sound.

Discrete
No op amps. Only transistors, resistors and capacitors. Op amps add noise, coloration and harshness to a signal. Discrete designs deliver ultra low noise and transparency.

Class A
When a circuit is running in Class A mode the circuit is always in an "on" state operating at its optimal voltage requirements. Class A mode has zero crossover distortion and delivers purer, clearer and more musical sonics than class A/B designs which are found in most op-amp circuits.

The net result of the XMAX preamp design is high headroom, low noise, wide dynamic range and wide frequency range, and most importantly, musicality and transparency - smooth highs, solid deep lows, and everything in between.

Ins and Outs
The FP10 is loaded with I/O for an extremely flexible and expandable recording system. The FP10 starts with eight Class A custom-designed PreSonus microphone preamplifiers. You can add additional preamplifiers by daisy-chaining up to three FP10's for a total fo 24 simultaneous inputs and outputs.

Features
High-Speed FireWire (IEEE 1394) audio interface

Up to 96K Sampling Rate

8 XMAX Class A Microphone Preamplifiers (+60dB gain) w/ Trim Control

8 analog mic/line inputs, 2 instrument inputs

8 analog line Outputs

S/PDIF digital input and output, MIDI input and output

Balanced send / return for channels 1 and 2

Zero latency monitoring

Separate Main and Cue Mix Outputs

Daisy-chain multiple FP10's for additional inputs/outputs

FREE ProPak Software Suite including Cubase LE Audio Production Software Included with the FP10

Optional MegaStudio Producer Bundle Info
The MegaStudio Producer Bundle by PreSonus for the FP10 gives you everything you need to record your music, create your videos and distribute and sell your music worldwide!

Included with the MegaStudio Producer are more than four hours of tutorial video showing you step-by-step how to produce professional-quality recordings and videos taking the mystery out of music and video production.

MegaStudio Producer features the award-winning PreSonus FP10 (formerly FIREPOD) FireWire recording interface, more than $2,000 worth of music and video production software, 5 free uploads to iTunes from TuneCore, as well as free BroadJam.com membership and a complete “Go Pro” guide with tons of information on sharing, distributing and selling your music and video

Included Software

Audio recording and production:
Steinberg Cubase 4 LE
48-track audio recording and production software

Video editing and production:
Sony Vegas Movie Studio + DVD
Multi-track video and audio editing software and DVD creation software

Virtual instruments
Reason Adapted (Synths, Sounds, Loops)

Drumagog LE (Drum replacer)

BFD Lite (Virtual studio drummer)

Ultra Analog Session (Synthesizer)

SoniVox PreSonus VI (Virtual sample instrument)

Lounge Lizard Session (Vintage electric pianos)

Amplitube LE (Virtual guitar amplifier)

KeytoSound (General synthesizer)

Real-time effects
MasterVerb (Mono and stereo reverb)

EyeQ (Graphic EQ and spectral analyzer)

Chamberverb (Reverb)

Track Plug LE (Channel Strip)

Camel Crusher (Compressor)

PitchCraft (Pitch correction)

FuzzPlus 2 (Guitar effect)

SFX Machine (Virtual synthesizer)

Pluggo Jr (12 real-time effects plug-ins)

Drum loops and sounds effects
Sony 1001 Sound Effects

Discrete Drums PreSonus Edition

Cycling 74 loops

Twiddly Bits

CD burning
Sony CD Architect

Other
House of Worship Video Toolkit from CCI Solutions

Distribute and sell on iTunes
TuneCore.com one album (5 free songs) upload to iTunes included

Share and Promote
Free BroadJam.com membership

Instructional Videos and Booklets
Cubase LE4 Demystified – video manual

Sony Vegas Movie Studio Training by VASST

How to recording a song using the FP10

How to make a live recording & video with the FP10 & Sony Vegas

How to make a music video with Sony Vegas

Mixing a song in Cubase LE4

Distributing your music on TuneCore

Tour:Smart “Go Pro” Guide written by Martin Atkins

House of Worship Toolkit by CCI Solutions

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. (33 ratings)
Submitted January 8, 2014 by Chris B in Fort Thomas, KY

"Still working with OS X Mavericks"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Just broke out my Firepod (same thing as an FP10), and it works perfectly on my iMac running Mavericks 10.9.1. I'm pleased that PreSonus saw fit to build a device that conforms to Apple's specs so tightly that it's continued to be support after all these years (unlike my Alesis IO|26, which has *no* Mavericks support).

Musical Background:

29 years as a singer/songwriter.

Musical Style:

Rock
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No longer available at zZounds

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